Three-Storied Pagoda of Shihonryuji Temple 三重塔［四本龍寺］

Official explanation

This pagoda was originally constructed in 1241 in the area where the Toshogu now stands, and moved here later. The original pagoda was lost in a fire in 1684, and this building dates from 1685. It houses three wooden statues, one of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, accompanied by two bodhisattvas, which form a Shaka triad.

The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac are carved into the main support column of the first floor of this pagoda. Each of these animals is associated with a different time of day and a different compass direction. The animals are placed at two-hour intervals on a clock, or 30-degree intervals for a compass. The horse is placed at the south, the rooster west, the rat north, and rabbit at the east, which correspond to 12 pm, 6 pm, 12 am, and 6 am respectively.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.